The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-11-19

Christ during the first thirty years.
The fullest accounts we have are those
of his birth and infancy. Then the
narrative plunges into oblivion. There
is CLEAN of light when his twelfth
year comes. Then the shadow falls
until his baptism. The verse before US
contains a suggestion, however, con-
corning that yelled history. He is called
the carpenter" His father followed
that trade, and we learn from this verse
that Jesus himself wrought at the
bench with plane and chisel. 1t is fair
to presume that, during these years,
nothing notable occurred. The monot-
ony of his life, like that of thousands
of other lives, was broken by no mar
velous event. He was quiet unosten-
tatious workman. His old neighbors
were surprised when, after awhile,
they found that he had set up for a
prophet. They had never dreamed of
any such thing. They had never sus-
pected that he possessed extraordinary
powers. They exclaimed, "What does
this mean 20 "He is only an ordinary
mechanic !" Perhaps they had en-
ployed him from time to time to do
their work. He may have repaired
their houses or fashioned the rude arti-
cles of furniture those houses contained.
1 am glad for the partial lifting Of
the curtain from those years of silence.
Jesus is not revealed to us as withdrawn
from the world, wrapped in the soli-
tude of hermit, given over to relig-
ious meditation and pious inactivity.
Whatever his inward experiences may
have been, it is certain that he lived
among men and took part in the
employments of men. There is moth
ing in his example to warrant the infer
ence that one can live better life isola-
ted from the world; that monastic
seclusion and discipline are specially
adapted to produce high state of spir-
ituality. Jesus developed the divine
life that was in him, among the tim
bers and tools of a carpenters shop.
There is nothing in any honest voca-
ton incompatible with the highest re-
igious profession and practice. The
life of Christ can be lived over again in
the shop or counting-room, or mill, or
logging camp, or foundry, or quarry.
There is no place or business distinct
lively sacred.
He, who, by passing through the vari-
Gus periods of human life, sanctified
infancy, childhood, youth and manhood,
by engaging in the ordinary occupa-
lions of men, has gilded human toll
with divine glory. There is light
from beyond the horizon playing upon
the implements of labor since they
were handled by him. AS Jesus entered
personally into the everyday work of
men, let US carry his spirit with us now
into all our avocations and the duties
they impose. The picture of Christ at
the carpenters bench in Nazareth, sug-
gests the thought of him in all our
common life to-day
1. 1t becomes necessary for every
one, sooner or later, to make choice OF
some secular calling. We are thrown
into world where we must work.
Life must be spent in labor. Ones
daily bread depends upon it. His fam
lily must be supported by its proceeds.
He selects his employment and gives
himself to its prosecution. There is no
possible conflict between any legiti-
mate pursuit and the religion of the
carpenter of Nazareth. No man must
abandon his trade to become Christ
ian; if he be Christian no man must
neglect it. A high authority assures
us that it is no sign of eminent piety
for one to be ''slothful in business"
The man of superior spirituality does
not slight his daily work he puts his
conscience into it. He scorns to do
shabby job. He does not let his affairs
run recklessly on. The favor of heaven
is not won by neglecting earth. God
never smiles upon an idler. No man is
called from the affairs of the world,
but from the sins of the world.
1t is related of st. Anthony, that in
order to lead cody life, he went out
into the wilderness, and all who heard
of him were astonished by the severity
of his discipline, the rigors of his self
modification, and the number of his
vigils and devotions. One day a voice
came from heaven saying, Anthony,
thou art not so perfect as a certain cob
bier who dwells in Alexandra" There
upon Anthony rose from his knees, took
his staff in hand, and jOurneyed to AL
exandria, to see that cobbler. The poor
man was astonished that one who had
such reputation for holiness should
come into his dwelling. "Tell me-"
said Anthony, "thy whole conversation,
and how thou spendest thy time"
Sir" replied the other, "as for good
works, 1 have them not for my life is
simple, and l am but poor cobbler.
In the morning when 1 rise, pray for
the city, and for all such neighbors and
poor friends as have. After this set
me at my labor where spend the whole
10. l. 4. g.